Foot-operated percussion musical instrument



United States Patent [72] lnventors Josephus B. Thompson, deceased, late of Covington, Ohio, by K. E. Stade, administrator, Covington, Ohio [2l] Appl. No. 776,834

[54] FOOT-OPERATED PERCUSSION MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl. 84/422 [51] Int. Cl. 610d 13/00 [50] Field'ofSearch 84/411, 421, 422, 402

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 716,437 l2/ i902 Langenohl 84/422 1,479,376 l/l924 Danly... 84/422 l,564,839 12/1925 Evans 84/422 OTHER REFERENCES Rogers Drum Catalog 64R, Cleveland, Ohio, 1964, page 61. (84- 41 l Slingerland Catalog 65, Niles, Illinois, 1964, page 60. (84- 41 l Primary Examiner-Stephen .l. Tomsky Assistant ExaminerJohn F. Gonzales Attorney-Causewitz & Carr ABSTRACT: The disclosure relates to a foot-operated percussion musical instrument, and more particularly to such an instrument of the cymbal type and which is conventionally referred to as a hi-hat". The foot-pedal portion of the hi-hat percussion instrument, and of related percussion instruments such as foot-pedal drum beaters for bass drums, incorporates a heel which is rapidly mounted without the use of screws or any other threaded fasteners. Furthermore, the heel is at all times fully pivotable relative to other portions of the foot pedal, which creates a more flexible operation and insures that the heel will firmly seat upon all types of underlying support sur- I faces despite irregularities thereon. Such pivotal heel cooperates with a spur element in preventing the instrument from creeping. The hi-hat percussion instrument is further characterized by the use of a coupling or plug element incorporating first and second cooperating setscrews which are respectively adapted to lock in position a threaded pull rod and a crossmember connected to the foot pedal, the setscrews being operated when the pull rod is respectively at first and second predetermined longitudinal positions. The construction is such that a broken pull rod may be rapidly and economically replaced by the drummer, without the necessity for returning the apparatus to the factory.

PATENT EU mm 5 I976 sum 2 or 2 INVENTOR.

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FOOT-OPERATED rsrrcussrou MusrcAr. ms rrwrvrrrrv'r Y BACKGROUND or THE INVENTION Rogers Drums catalog for 1967-68. Such catalog illustrates various foot-pedal drum beaters, for example at pages 36 and 37. The catalog 'also'illustrates various types of hi-hats, for example at pages 34 and 35.

Referring first to the pedal constructions, and particularly those wherein the foot boards were pivotable relative to the heel members, such heel members were nevertheless substan tially fixed in angular position relative'to a hinge rod which connected to the remainder of the apparatus-The connection was such that any irregularity in the-floor would tend to prevent firm seating of the heel element thereon, with consequent tendency of the heel to creep or otherwise malfunction as the beating or pedal action progressed.

In addition, the prior 'art foot-pedal assemblies required the use of a plurality of threaded fasteners, there being (for example) one threaded fastener on each side of the heel element and an additional threaded fastener to "lock. the hinge rod in position. V I

With specific reference to the prior art hi-hat constructions,

by a movable coupling or plug element to 'a crossmember, the latter being in turn connected to the foot-pedal element for actuation thereby. The construction was such that'breakage of the pull rod, which tended to occur as the result of long-continued straining and fatiguing thereofl-made it highly diffic'ult or impossible to disassemble the apparatus for repairs and replacement of parts'slt frequently occurred that a drilling operation was needed in order to remove the broken-off threaded end of the pull rod and thereby permit disassembly of the crossmember. Such operations could not normally be performed by the drummers themselves, which made it necessary that skilled workmen (frequently at the factory) be called upon in order to perform the repair function. I SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention,.the heel portion of the foot-pedal assembly is pivotally associated with the FIG. 2 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is avertical section on line 3-3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pull rodassembly; and FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse section on line 7-7 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, the hihat percussion instrument is illustrated tocomprise a relatively large diameter tube 10 which is supported in vertical position by three legs 11 having feet 11a. Legs 11 are adapted to be collapsed or folded for shipment and-storage of the hi-hat. A relatively small diametertube 12.jis telescoped into the upperend of tube 10, the degree of telescoping being controlled by a U-clamp 13 which fixedly positions the tubes 10 and 12 in any desired position relative to each other. Such degree of telescoping determines the position of a lower cymha] 14 which is supported on a felt washer l6 and base plate 17, the latter being fixedly secured atthe upper end of tube 12. Not only can the elevation of the lower cymbal be thus ad- I justed through manipulation-of U-clarnp 1 3 and telescoping of 1 these frequently incorporated a pull rod which was connected footboard thereof, and is also-pivotallyassociated with the hinge rod leading'to the base or support. Thepivotal connection is effected'by introducing a horizontal connector pin through bushings in the footpcdal and thence through an eye element at the end of the hinge rod. Such horizontal pin may be held in position by a locking pin associated therewith, there being no need for threaded connections of any kind.

The pivotal heel of the foot-pedal assembly cooperates with a spur which is mounted at the lower end of the tubular body of the hi-hat apparatus. The relationship is such that vertical adjustment of the tubular body, in relation to the foot portions of the hi-hat, does not prevent firm seating of the heel on the underlying floor.

The pull rod of the hi-hat is threaded into a coupling or plug, the lower end of such plug receiving a transverse horizontal crossmember connected tothefoot pedal: A first setscrew is employed to removably lock the threaded lower end of the pull rod to the plug, and a second setscrew is employed to lock the crossrnember against axial movement. Such setscrews are adapted to be operated when'the pull rod is at first and second predetermined longitudinal positions at which the ends of the setscrews register with'an'opening in the tube wherein the pullrodreeiprocate's.

BRIEF oescrurrrou or THEDRAWINGS the tubes relative to each other, but the inclination of such lower cymbal may be adjusted by regulating a screw 18 which is threaded through the base plate 17 and engages a backup washer 19 for felt washer 16. I

An upper cymbal 21 is adjustably mounted, by means of a clutch 22, on an upper pull rod 23. Such pull rod 23 telescopes into the upper or small diameter tube 12, being slidably associated therewith by means of a suitablelow-friction bearing or bushing, not shown. At its lower end, pull rod 23 is con nected through a coupling 24 with a lower pull rod 25 which is mounted in the large diameter lower tube 10.

The lower end of lower pull rod 25 is connected to a plug or coupling 26 having a cross pin 27 therethrough for connection of the pull rods 23 and 25 (and thus of the upper cymbal 21) cymbal l4. Raising of the upper cymbal and associated elements is effected by means of a helical compression spring 29- which is seated in tube 10 below plug 26.

A first aspect or facet of the present invention relates to the pull rod and coupling assembly, and more particularly to the plug or coupling 26 and the manner of connection thereof with the lower pull rod and with cross pin 27. A second aspect or facet of the present invention relates to the foot pedal and spur assembly 28, and to the manner of cooperation thereof with the legs ll. These two facets of the invention will be discussed separately below.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4-6, inclusive, which best illustrate the pull rod and coupling assembly, the lower end of lower pull rod 25 is externally threaded andis inserted into an intemally-threaded vertical bore in the upper end of plug or coupling 26. A first setscrew 31 is threaded through a threaded bore in plug 26 and bears against the lower end of pull rod 25 to insure against rotation thereof despite long continuance of the percussive action. Setscrew 31 is flush with (or depressed below) the exterior of plug 26, thereby assuring that reciprocation of the plug in lower tube 10 will not be interfered with.

The cross pin 27, which connects to foot pedal and spur assembly 28, is inserted horizontally. through a transverse (horizontal) bore in the lower portion of plug 26. The central 4 The ends of cross pin 27 extend through vertical slots 34 (FIG. 3) w hich are provided in diametrically-opposite sides of llower tube .10, and which are sufficiently long-to permit the desired amount of movement of the crosspin and'thus of the .pull rod assemblyand upper cymbal 21. Slots 34 not only perfrnit reciprocation of the cross pin, but also determine the rotated position of plug 26in tube 10. The rotated position of the plug is caused to be such that both-setscrews 31 and 33 lie along a vertical line which intersects the center of an opening ':36"("FI GS; 4 and 5) in tube 10, and through which a wrench be inserted for tightening or loosening of the set screws, or fpr insertion or removal thereof. 'l -.Preferably, the set screws are perpendicular to a vertical plane which contains cross pin 27androd 25, and which extendsthrough the slots 34. Opening 36 and setscrews-3l and 33 lie in a second vertical plane which is perpendicularto such vertical planecontaining the cross pin 27 and the rod 25. K

In assembling the rod and coupling assembly, lower. rod may be threaded into plug 26, following which the upper set-' spelt/"s1 is inserted and tightened. Thereafter, the plug and dd are inserteddownwardly into lower tubelO, and are rotanally oriented until the ends of the transverse bore for cross pin 27fregister with slots 34; Cross pin 27 is then inserted, following which the opening for lower setscrew 33 is caused to ed through opening 36 arid tightened.

hould'it be desired to remove the lower pull rod 25 from plug 26, it is merely necessary to shift the pull rod (by operatihg the pedal assembly 28) to such a longitudinal position'that Ethe uppei' setscrew 31 registerswith hole 36. Setscrew 31 is it hetiioosened and removed through opening 36, followingwhichlllte lower pull rod 25 is rotated until it is unthreaded J ll 9 h P 8 2 I I ln the event-of breakage of the lower pull rod 25, as may occur due to long-continued operation of the apparatus, itis merely necessary to operate the footpedal and spur assembly ,Zduntilthe lower setscrew 33. is registered with operiing 36, following which such lowersetscrewis removed to thereby permit removalof cross pin 27. The cross pin being removed, itis a simple matter to remove the plug 26 from the tube 10. Oncetheplug is removed, the broken end of the lower pull rbdZS may be unthreaded from the plug 26 (after renioval of twsw i The, above-indicated helical compression spring 29 is threaded ontothe lower end of plug26, which is externally threaded and' is accordingly removed and inserted with such plug 26 The lowerend of spring 29 is seated (FIG. an) a suitable closure 37 at the lower end 'of tube 10. Closure 37 may beof such construction that thedegree of compression of sprijng 2 9, and thus the force exerted thereby, may be regulated in accordance with the desires of the drummer.

order toabsorb the shockexerted by the spring 29 after release of the foot, of the drummer from the foot pedal and spur assembly 28, .resilient bumpers: in theform of rubber washers (FIGS. 2 and 6) aremounted on the projecting ends of 'crosspin 27. Such washersare adapted to engage the underside of a fixedly mounted spider element 39 which forms partofthe collapsible leg assembly of the-apparatus- Spider element 39 is located adjacent the upper ends of slots 34, and is;fixedly 'mounted in position asby being silver soldered or braied to lower tube 10. t

lTheabove-indicated coupling 24 which connects upper pull rod 23 with lower pull rod .25 is, as shown ,in FIG. 6, threadedlyassociated with both such pull rods. A setscrew, trot shown, may be employed to lockthe lower pull rod 25'to coupling 24. However, it is preferred that there be no setscrew at the joint between upper pull rod Bend the coupling, since such setscrew would interfere with disassembly of the app remsbythe m gflhe coupling 24 is, illustrated to have a diameter somewhat smaller than that of plug or coupling 26, since coupling 24 reciprocates not only in the relatively large diameter lower tubelo but also in the smaller diameter upper tube 12. Plug or re ister' with opening 36. The lower setscrew 33 is then incoupling 26, on the other hand, reciprocates only in lower tube 10. The upper ends of both couplings '24 and 26 may be beveled or chamfered in order to insure against interference with the elements in which they reciprocate.

cross pin, adjacent bumper washers 38, and are held in position by suitable nuts 43 (FIG. 2) which are threaded on the cross pin.

The lower end of footboard 40 is bifurcated to form apertured bearing portions (protuberant portions) 44 adapted'to receive a horizontal pivot pin 46. As shown in FIG. 7, bushings 47 are press fit into horizontal apertures or bores in bearing portions 44, such bushings having relatively large-diameter collars 48 adjacent'the interior surfaces of the bearing portions. v

The pivot pin 46 is adapted to pivotally connect bearing portions 44 with a heel element 50. Such heel "element has apertured bearing ears or lugs (protuberant portions) 51 which are sufficiently close to each other to fit between the collars 48, but sufficiently far from each other to receive the annular end or eye 52 ofa hinge rod 53.

One of the bearing lugs 51 has a transverse bore formed therein for reception of a spring pin 54 (FIG. 7), such pin extending through one side of an annular groove 55 in pivot pin 46.-The spring pin 54 is preferably of tubular construction, having alongitudinal slit therein in order to permit spring action.

The heel member 50 is preferably a die casting having recessed lower portions, and on which rubber feet 56' (FIGS. 3 and -7) are mounted for nonslipping engagement with an underlying supporting surface. v

The described means for connecting footboard 40 to heel element 50 in aligned relationship, and in a hinged or pivotal manner,is characterized by extreme simplicity and economy of manufacture and assembly (there being no threaded fasteners), yet by a high degree of durability. Assembly is effected by merely press-fitting the bushings 47 in the horizontal bores through bearing portions 44 of footboard 40, then introducing the bearing lugs 51 and eye 52 between the bushings,then inserting the pin 46 through the aligned elements, and then introducing the spring pin'54. As shown in FIG. 7, the spring pin 54 fits into the annular groove 55 and insures against withdrawal of the hinge pin 46. When in such annular groove, the spring pin is tangential to hinge pin 46.

The described hinge assembly permits the hinge rod 53 and the heel element 50 to pivot relative to each other. Stated otherwise, not only is the footboard 40 pivotable relative to the heel element 50, but the hinge rod 53 may also pivot relative thereto/Conversely, when the hinge rod 53 is stationary, heel 50 may'pivot to such a position that all of the feet 56 rest firmly upon the floor or other support surface. This relationship is of major importance relative to mounting of the apparatus in such manner that it will not creep in response to repeated operation of the foot pedal by the drummer, and as will be described below.

The forward end 57 of hinge rod 53 is bent upwardly and then downwardly,- there being ai'cross pin 58 welded or otherwise rigidly secured in the apex between adjacent bent portions. The ends of cross pin 58 extendlaterally and seat in notches 59 which are formed in the'upper edges of binge straps or plates 61. Such hin'ge straps 61 are parallel to each other and are 'rigidly secured to the lower end of tube 10, for example by soldering. The end of hinge rod 53 remote from heel 50 is inserted between upper and'lower rivets 62 and 63,

hinge rod 53.

The hinge straps 61 extend forwardly of tube 10 andprovide a mounting for an adjustable spur e lement.64 which is disposed between the straps. The spur 64 is adapted to press downwardly against the floor or carpeting in order to cooperate with the heel "50 (and with the feet 1 10 at the lower ends of legs I I) in preventing creeping of the apparatus.

Since the heel 50, in accordance with the present invention, can pivot relative to rod 53 at all times, the lower tube 10 and the spur 64 thereon may be vertically adjusted (as will be described) in a manner. such that the spur 64.coop erates most eli'ectively with the underlying support surface. Such adjustment does not, because of the pivotal mounting of the heel 50 relative to rod 53, affect in any way the firm seating of heel feet 56 on the support. Thus, there is no upward inclination or other lack of proper seating of the heel- 50,- despite the adjusted position of the lower tube 10 and spur 64, and despite any irregularities in the support surface.

The spur 64 may be vertically adjusted by releasing a U- clamp 66 (FIG. I) and then vertically shifting a movable leg slide or spider 67 on the. lower tube 10. Such leg slide 67 is pivotally connected to the upper ends of legs 11, whereas intermediate portions of such legsare pivotally connected to leg links 68 with the above-indicated fixedly-mounted spider element. v

The leg slide 67 is'then locked, by U-clamp66, at such a longitudinal position on tube-l that the elevation of spur 64 relative to the foot portions Ila of legsxll will be such as to provide an optimum degree of gripping with the support surface lllustrated in phantom lines inI-IG. 3 is a position such that the spur 64 is efi'ectively employed, and cooperates with the heel 50 in preventing creeping of the apparatus. In the phantom-line showing of FIG. 3, thefloor is shown at S].

The leg slide 67 may also be adjusted to such position that the spur and the hinge straps 61 are spaced above the supporting surface as shown in solid lines in FIG'.'3.' Relative to the solid-line showing of FIG. 3, the floor is shown at S2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, and regardless of the adjusted position of the leg slide 67 or other elements, the heel 50 is always horizontal (if the floor is horizontal) and cooperates effectively with the spur 64 and/or the foot portions 11:: of legs 11 in preventing creep. a

It is claimed:'

I. In a foot-operated percussion device,- a foot pedal assembly comprising:

a footboard having at least one protuberant portion at the heel end thereof; I

means to connect the toe of said footboardj to a component of a percussion device for operation thereof;

a heel element adapted to rest on an underlying support surface, said heel element having at least one protuberant portion disposed to be horizontally and laterally adjacent said protuberant portion of said footboard' when said -footboard and heel element are in-longitudinally aligned positions'such that the heel of one foot of the musician may rest on said heel element, and the soleof such foot may rest on said footboard;

versely of said longitudinally aligned footboard and heel element, said hinge pin having a recess therein;

a hinge rod connected to said hinge pin in perpendicularlyextending relationship relative thereto, said hinge rodbeing associated, at its end remote from said hinge pin, with a support means; and 'i a locking member extended through an opening in one of said protuberant portions and into sa'idrecess to thereby lock said hinge pin against axial shifting. 2. In a foot-operated percussion device, a foot pedal as sembly comprising: 1

a footboard having at least one protuberant portion at the heel end thereof, said footboard having a bifurcated end portion one section of which is. formed by said protuberant portion of said footboard, and the other section of which is laterally spaced a substantial distance from said one section; means to connect the toe end of said footboard to a component of a percussion device for operation thereof;

a heel element adapted to rest on an underlying support sursections of said bifurcated end portion of said footboard;

an unthreaded horizontal hinge pin extending transversely of said longitudinally aligned footboard and heel element,

said hinge pin extending through horizontal-bores in both I of said sections of said bifurcated end portion, and

through horizontal bores in both of said protuberant portions of said heel element, said hinge pin having a recess therein;

a hinge rod pivotally connected to said hinge pin in perpendicularly-extending relationship relative thereto, the pivotal connection between said hinge rod and hinge pin being by means of an eye formed at one end of said hinge rod and having said hinge pin extended therethrough, said eye being located between said protuberant portions of said heel element, said hinge rod being associated, at its end remote from said hinge pin, with a support means; and

a locking member extended through an opening in one of said protuberant portions and into said recess to thereby lock said hinge pin against axial shifting.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 2, in which bushings are provided around said hinge pin and in said sections of said bifurcated end of said footboard, in which said recess in said an unthreaded horizontal hinge pin extended through horizontal bores in said protuberant portions and trans- 

